Madrid did not escape the negative spiral in which the classic match left them in a season that they can't seem to get a grasp on. They needed a morale boost in their favorite competition and instead found themselves facing a second consecutive defeat, also the second in the Champions League. In a match where all their flaws were once again exposed, they encountered a Milan team that came with many issues but appeared much stronger at the Bernabeu than they actually are, revisiting their past status as a European nemesis for the whites in the late eighties.
For Real Madrid, the worst thing was not losing (in this Champions format, a defeat is more recoverable than before), but the feeling of Ancelotti's inability to find the key to build a competitive team capable of aspiring to titles after a summer where they seemed poised to conquer the world, and now they need heroics to beat anyone. The worst realization for the club is the growing disconnect between the stands and its players. Madrid headed to the locker rooms at halftime to a strong chorus of boos, something that hadn't happened in a long time.
Whistles
The public turned against Tchouaméni
Some soccer players were booed as soon as they touched the ball; the most blatant case was that of Tchouaméni, once again the author of a calamitous performance and directly responsible for Milan's second goal, to make matters worse for Morata. At this point, no one can understand why the Frenchman continues as a starter.
With a lineup similar to the classic one, with the only change being Modric's entry, Real Madrid was the shadow of its former self in the last few games. Despite their high press, they couldn't control the game, which turned into a back-and-forth from one end to the other. The Whites once again showed a clear defensive fragility as Milan had opportunities at will. In contrast, they created little soccer and Mbappé couldn't find the net because his compatriot Maignan denied him twice with outstanding saves.
Morata
Third team he scores against Real Madrid
Milan took the lead very early from a corner kick by Pulisic and a header by Thiaw, taking advantage of Militão's complacency. Real Madrid reacted furiously and equalized from a penalty (the sixth one they have been given this season), a play in which Emerson overshot Vinícius and brought him down. Milan considered the penalty to be a soft one. Morata received a yellow card for his protests while the crowd sang “Morata, you're so bad, you're so bad”.
The revenge of the Madrid native was not served precisely cold, but rather just a few minutes later. In the 39th minute, Tchouaméni missed an easy pass from Vinícius. Then, he stood still and did not help in defense. Leao unleashed a shot that forced Lunin to make a great save, but no one noticed that Morata was entering to score unopposed the 1-2. Morata has now scored against Madrid with three different teams: Atlético, Juventus, and Milan.
The second half started with a double change in the whites. The first one was very logical: Camavinga for Tchouameni; the second one, Brahim for Valverde. The Malaga-born player was making his comeback after his injury at Anoeta in September.
Mbappé
Little accuracy in the shot
Madrid tightened up after Ancelotti's scolding, but it was Lunin who made the first intervention, preventing Leao's header from being the third goal. Ten minutes into the second half, the game was completely open.
Bellingham missed a clear shot. Madrid was playing without restraint or organization, in a sort of reckless forward escape, with no midfield and taking risks by leaving a lot of ground to cover.
Amidst the madness, only Mbappé gave sense to his plays, but he continued to be lacking in finishing. Ceballos came on for Modric, which indicated Ancelotti's desperation. Milan reacted by shamelessly wasting time. In the 71st minute, a great counterattack by Leao led to the third Italian goal with a close-range shot by Reijnders. In the 81st minute, Rüdiger scored, but it was clearly offside from Rodrygo, and Maigan even had time to make a great save against Brahim. Madrid remains on the ropes. They can't find the remedy to recover. The heroic comeback cannot always be their only argument.
